Friendship over years and miles

Amy Evans and Delphine Litt were about 5,000 miles apart when they exchanged their first pen pal letters nearly 40 years ago. 

They included the usual questions from grade schoolers: What are your hobbies? What color is your hair? What are your favorite foods? How tall are you?  

As Evans was in Lewiston and Litt was living near Paris, they had to wait for answers as their letters crossed the Atlantic Ocean.

“As soon as I got one of Amy’s letters, I wrote back,” Litt said.  

"It was so exciting every time I opened the mailbox,” Evans said. 

As they grew and letters flew back and forth, their friendship formed. It has endured for decades. They drifted apart during college but reconnected about eight years ago via Facebook when Evans tracked down her old friend.

“I always knew she was out there somewhere and there was a connection," Evans said. 

“Once we reconnected as adults, then we really got to know each other," Litt said.

Since then, they’ve shared thousands of texts and hours on FaceTime, as they kept communication lines open and adjusted for the nine-hour time difference. 

Each has appreciated the other’s support as they have been there for each other through the good times and the bad. They have been sounding boards as needed and have offered comforting words, too.

“I know my life is better because Delphine is in it,” said Evans, a Coeur d’Alene City Council member. “She’s just always brought joy and happiness. It’s always special when we hear from each other.” 

Litt, an English teacher who still lives in a Paris suburb, nodded in agreement. 

“It feels natural,” she said. 

The two met for the first time, face to face, in 2022 when Evans and her daughter visited France.  

“She was so tall,” Evans recalled thinking when she saw the 6-foot Litt. 

Litt was thrilled to finally meet Evans in person. 

“Incredible,” she said.

“It felt like we knew each other,” Evans said. 

Their connection included family.

Litt’s son stayed in the Evans home when he was in the U.S. for an internship. Amy and her husband visited France earlier this year, and their daughter will be studying in London. In July, Litt and her family visited Coeur d’Alene for the first time and spent about a week here.

They went on a boat ride on Lake Coeur d’Alene, visited Wallace, took in the sights and enjoyed ice cream on walks in town. Litt loved Coeur d’Alene and was struck by how quiet it was for a big city. 

“And very clean,” she said. 

The two are alike in many ways. Both balance careers and family, enjoy being around people, traveling, games and they both treasure family time.  

Evans tends to be more talkative of the two, while Litt is slightly more reserved. 

Evans likes to run. 

“I don’t,” Litt said, laughing, adding that their personalities are a good fit. 

“It just felt very natural, she said. 

Evans agreed and said theirs is an easy friendship. 

“It’s like having a family in another country,” she said. “It’s another set of cousins.” 

The two don't know when they'll meet again but are confident it won't be long. They believe their pen pal friendship will last a lifetime. 

“For sure,” Evans said. 

    Some of the letters and cards shared between Amy Evans and Delphine Litt.
  

    Some of the letters exchanged between Amy Evans and Delphine Litt during their pen pal friendship that started nearly 40 years ago.